An incentive program in the US to encourage the retraining of thoroughbred racehorses into other careers has announced the winners of its 2013 performance awards.

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) performance awards recognise thoroughbreds accumulating the most points at all horse shows in each of the award categories and divisions throughout the year.

“We had an excellent response to the pilot program,” said Kristin Leshney, legal associate for The Jockey Club and the administrator of T.I.P. “We received 150 applications representing 78 Thoroughbreds, and 25 states and Ontario.”

Because the pilot program was so successful, performance awards will be available once again in 2014 and will include shows from December 1, 2013, through November 30, 2014. Category winners in 2014 will receive a ribbon and leather lead shank and division winners will receive a ribbon and T.I.P. customized lead rope.

The 2014 performance award information will be collected online through the T.I.P. website attjctip.com. The deadline for submission is December 20, 2014.

Created and announced in October 2011, T.I.P. recognizes and rewards the versatility of the Thoroughbred through sponsorship of Thoroughbred classes and high point awards at sanctioned horse shows.